Textile machines that produce take-up packages

ABSTRACT

A textile machine that produces take-up packages with control valves  1 , whereby the control valves  1  each have a valve body  2 , a piston  3  and a plunger  4 , whereby the plunger  4  comprises a front seal seat  5  and a rear seal seat  6  as well as seals  9 , with which outlets, such as a main line  14 , a pilot line  19 , a connection  16  and at least one vent  15  are alternately sealable in the valve body  2 , and the piston  3  has a piston seal  8  that separates two air circuits from each other. Contact surfaces  11  are designed in the valve body, at which the corresponding surfaces  12  of the front and rear seal seats  5, 6  of the plunger  4  can be brought into abutment.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of German patent application DE102017118683.2, filed Aug. 16, 2017, herein incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a textile machine that produces take-uppackages.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

With textile machines that produce take-up packages, for example yarnand cabling machines, it is standard for sensor devices to be used thatmonitor the most varied operational or process states. For example,pneumatic, electropneumatic or electromagnetic sensor devices are knownin this regard. Based on the signals from the sensor devices, devicesare controlled that, for example, initiate a package lifting device, theclamping of a yarn, a yarn cut or the stopping of a spindle.

The positioning of a so-called pilot valve between the sensor device andthe device to be controlled, which in turn is designed, for example,mechanically as a push button valve or pneumatic actuating valve, isalso known.

During the yarn process for example, the presence of the yarn ismonitored by a mechanical element positioned by the yarn. If there is ayarn break, the mechanical element falls around an axis of rotation dueto its own weight, and thus operates the switch pin of a pilot valve.The pilot valve is connected to a control valve, which controls apneumatic actor, in this example the package lifting device.

The control valves that have been previously used in textile machinesthat produce take-up packages have a so-called membrane sealing balldesign. This means that a sealing ball is connected with a membrane viaa plunger. The membrane is located between a front and a rear chamber.Air streams into the rear chamber via a main line and, where applicable,a fixed throttle valve. This deforms the membrane towards the front andthe plunger closes the front seal seat in the valve housing with theattached sealing ball. This means that no air can flow into one of thepneumatic cylinders connected to the front chamber, and the pneumaticcylinder can travel to its operating position via a vent.

If there is a yarn break, for example, a main line positioned at therear chamber is opened and the pressure falls in the rear chamber,because more air flows out than can flow in over the fixed throttle.Then the membrane moves backward together with the plunger, the frontseal seat of the sealing ball opens, clears the path for the main air tothe pneumatic cylinder, and the sealing ball moves against the sealedmounting, whereby the entry to the ventilation hole is closed.

After the yarn break is corrected and the workstation is restarted, thepilot line positioned at the rear chamber is closed again and pressurebuilds up again behind the membrane. The control valve moves back to theoperating position already described again.

The membrane with the attached plunger and the sealing ball is, however,a complex component in terms of production technology, for which it isdifficult to adhere to the required tolerances. This creates the riskthat an undefined state of uncertainty occurs during operation,resulting in the membrane fluttering. The sealing ball then is notpositioned in a defined way at the relevant seal seat, and lasting leaksoccur via the ventilation hole. In addition, the sealing ball isperiodically put under stress.

Furthermore, in the operational state the full operational pressure ispermanently exerted on the membrane from behind, which risks plasticdeformations occurring to this flexible and sensitive component over along period of time, which in turn can cause premature malfunctioning ofthe control valve and consequent downtime for the workstation or textilemachine.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention comprises a textile machine that produces take-up packageswith control valves.

One aspect of the present invention therefore comprises a textilemachine that produces take-up packages with control valves, whereby thecontrol valves each have a valve body, a piston and a plunger, wherebythe plunger comprises a front seal seat and a rear seal seat as well asseals, with which outlets, such as a main line, a pilot line, aconnection and at least one vent are alternately sealable in the valvebody, and the piston has a piston seal that separates two air circuitsfrom each other.

The textile machine that produces take-up packages is also characterizedin that there are contact surfaces in the valve body at which thecorresponding surfaces of the front and rear seal seats of the plungercan be brought abutment.

In this way, the path of the plunger with respect to the relevant sealis restricted in the sealed surface. The maximum deformation of theseals can be specified in advance through the defined deformationlimitation of the seals and the seals cannot slide too far into thesealing gap. This guarantees a long lifespan for the seals.

Through designing the textile machine like this, the control valves canbe practically and economically produced. Through the design of contactsurfaces with corresponding surfaces, material influences above all arenot so significant and disruptive to functionality, as is the case withthe membrane sealing ball design.

Moreover, this type of seal seat is sufficiently durable for theexpected number of switch cycles with a textile machine that producestake-up packages.

Because the maximum piston path is designed as a short-stroke pistonwith two conical seal seats, a compact structure of the control valve ismaintained, whereby the piston path is advantageously designed between0.8 mm and 5 mm.

Finally, the use of these kinds of control valves in a textile machinethat produces take-up packages can result in an economical and compacttextile machine being offered without having to accept impacts onquality during the manufacture of take-up packages due to errors infunctioning of the control valve. For example, if a take-up package wasnot taken up by the drive roller following a yarn break, it remains onthe drive roller and is driven at a diameter that can lead to yarndamage. This type of design does not lead to any increased maintenancecosts or an increased need for repairs either.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the surfaces correspondingto the seals are designed in a conical shape.

With a conical seal seat the advantage is that the seal is fixed in anut and is only compressed or released without frictional load occurringon the seal surface. For seals located directly at a cylindricalplunger, the seal would be put under frictional or shearing load whenthe plunger moved. With axial seals, on the other hand, the seal couldadhere to the sealing surface because it cannot be gripped in a nut.

In a further preferred embodiment, the piston and the plunger aredesigned in two pieces.

Such a design ensures a simpler mounting of the control valve. Theconnection between the two parts is secure and can be done using athread. Alternatively, the two parts can also be connected via press fitor with an adhesive bond. In principle, all joining techniques arepossible in the context of the invention that allow for a stableconnection of the piston with the plunger.

In particular, a supporting element is present that is positioned sothat the piston is secured on the plunger and the piston seal isaffixable to the piston.

If the piston is manufactured without a nut, because the supportingelement affixes the piston seal, the mounting of the piston seal issimplified. The piston seal is positioned at the piston and affixed toit via the supporting element, while previously assembly had to be donein a very painstaking manner in order to ensure functionality. Theattachment of the piston seal to the piston can moreover be done withouttools and the risk that the seal surface of the piston will be damagedis eliminated. In addition, the supporting element ensures a constantsecure fit of the piston seal on the piston including during use in thetextile machine.

At the same time, the supporting element secures the piston on theplunger, so that during the entire lifetime a defined positioning of thepiston on the plunger and consequently the error-free functioning of thecontrol valve are ensured.

Production of the essential components with plastic injection mouldingis possible, as previously. This also applies to the piston and plunger.Previously, in order to achieve a secure sealing effect, reworking wouldhave had to be done using overtwisting for a piston with a nut for thepiston seal, because the mould separation of the tool is positionedexactly in the sealed surface of the piston. The injection moulding toolfor a piston without a nut can be designed so that, in the area of thesealed surface, there is no mould separation and a machining rework istherefore no longer necessary. The extra effort and associated extracosts are no longer necessary with such a design.

In one preferred embodiment, a connection designed as a bottleneck isintegrated into the plunger between the main line and the pilot line.

With such an integrated bottleneck, which can be designed as an axisbore hole in the plunger, the air can flow from the main line to therear chamber or pilot line.

Alternatively, the bottleneck can be integrated into the plunger througha separate fixed throttle.

It is possible in the context of the invention to affix a fixed throttleto the plunger. In addition, a bore hole can preferably be present inthe plunger into which a separate fixed throttle is set.

In particular, the seals are designed as O-rings.

O-rings are economical and can be acquired as standard products.

Preferably the supporting element can be attached to the plunger withoutdestruction and can be detached.

The supporting element can, for example, after the piston that has thepiston seal has been put on, with a plunger and a nut that has beenmoulded into the plunger, be pushed into the nut from the side like alock washer and snaps into place there. This not only makes the assemblyof the piston seal simpler as already described, but also makesdisassembly easier. Replacing the piston seal is thus possible withoutusing tools, without the risk that the sealed surface of the pistonbecomes damaged when removing the piston seal.

More advantageously, the control valve is designed as a single ormultiple unit.

The control valve can be constructed in either an individual design or amultiple design, for example a double design. Depending on the area ofapplication, the control valve can be designed according to requirementsin the context of the invention. In this case, two positions orworkstations on the textile machine are controlled by one control valvethat is designed in a double design. A multiple or double design isessentially more economical to produce.

Further features and advantages of the invention are evident from thefollowing description of preferred embodiment examples of the invention,on the basis of the figures and drawings illustrating details essentialto the invention, and from the claims. The individual features can beimplemented individually or in any desired combination in a preferredembodiment of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiment examples of the invention are explained in moredetail below on the basis of the enclosed drawings. The drawings show:

FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a control valve with closedfront valve seat;

FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a control valve with closed rearvalve seat;

FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an embodiment example of asupporting element according to the invention;

FIG. 4 a schematic representation of a part of the plunger with thepiston and supporting element positioned next to it.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

In FIG. 1, as an example a schematic view of the structure of a controlvalve 1 with closed front seal seat 5 is shown.

The control valve 1 comprises a valve body 2 as well as a piston 3 and aplunger 4. Below the piston 3 a piston seal 8 separates the two aircircuits or the front chamber 17 and the rear chamber 18.

A supporting element 10 is in turn positioned below the piston seal 8.Through the supporting element 10, not only is the piston 3 secured onthe plunger 4, but also the piston seal 8 is affixed to the piston 3.

Moreover, valve body 2 (divided into three in this embodiment example)has contact surfaces 11, at the corresponding surfaces 12, that aredesigned at the front and rear seal seats 5, 6 of the plunger 4, thatcan be transported to the system.

Air flows through a continuous axis bore hole with a small diameter viathe main line 14 through the plunger 4 into the rear chamber 18. Theaxis bore hole or the small diameter is designed in such a way asregards flow technology that a throttle function is enabled. The piston3 pushes into the front position due to the large rear effective areaand seals the conical front seal seat 5 by means of a seal 9, designedin this embodiment example as an O-ring.

In this example, the corresponding surfaces 12 of the front seal seat 5are transported to the system at the contact surfaces 11 in the valvebody, so that the O-ring of the front seal seat 5 is subject to adefined maximum deformation and cannot be squeezed into the seal seat.

This means that no air can flow into the connection 16, to which, forexample, a simple pneumatic cylinder is connected and the pneumaticcylinder can travel into its operating position via a vent 15.

FIG. 2 shows the control valve 1 with closed rear seal seat 6. Incontrast to FIG. 1, in this embodiment example a fixed throttle 13 isattached to the plunger 4, through which air streams into the rearchamber 18.

In the case of a yarn break, for example, the control valve 1 should beswitched. The pre-control line 19 is released, i.e. opened, at thecontrol valve 1 via a (not shown) pre-control valve. The pressure in therear chamber 18 reduces, because more air flows out than can flow in viathe fixed throttle 13 into the plunger 4, which means that the piston 3moves to the rear, the conical front seal seat 5 opens, releases thepath of the main air through the front chamber 17 to the connection 16to the pneumatic cylinder and the piston 3 moves against the (alsoconical) rear seal seat 6, causing the entry to the vent 15 to close.

In this example, the corresponding surfaces 12 of the rear seal seat 6are transported to the system at the contact surfaces 11 in the valvebody 2, so that the O-ring of the rear seal seat 6 is subject to adefined maximum deformation and cannot be squeezed into the seal seat.

After the yarn break has been remedied and the yarn position restarted,the front control line 19 is closed again. As described above, pressurebuilds up again in the rear chamber 18 and the piston 3 moves to thefront operating position once again as described above.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a supporting element 10 according to theinvention. The supporting element 10 is designed as a clamp here, thatcan be pushed into a corresponding nut 7 of the plunger 4. In this way,the piston seal 8 can be attached easily and without a tool to thepiston 3. In order to ensure that the supporting element 10 can beclicked out of the nut 7 of the plunger 4 again, replacement or renewalof the piston seal 8 is possible. In addition, the piston 3 is securedto the plunger 4 through the supporting element 10.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a part of the plunger 4 withthe piston 3 positioned next to it. The piston seal 8 is positionedbelow the piston 3. The supporting element 10 is latched onto a nut 7,that is present in the plunger 4, which ensures on the one hand theproper positioning of the piston 3 at the plunger 4, and on the otherhand attaches the piston seal 8 to the piston 3.

LIST OF DRAWING REFERENCES

-   1 Control valve-   2 Valve body-   3 Piston-   4 Plunger-   5 Front seal seat-   6 Rear seal seat-   7 Nut-   8 Piston seal-   9 Seal-   10 Supporting element-   11 Contact surface-   12 Corresponding surface-   13 Fixed throttle-   14 Main line-   15 Vent-   16 Pneumatic cylinder connection-   17 Front chamber-   18 Rear chamber-   19 Pilot line

It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in theart that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility andapplication. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present inventionother than those herein described, as well as many variations,modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from orreasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoingdescription thereof, without departing from the substance or scope ofthe present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has beendescribed herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, itis to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative andexemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes ofproviding a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoingdisclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the presentinvention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments,adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements.

What is claimed is:
 1. A textile machine that produces take-up packageswith control valves (1), whereby the control valves (1) each have avalve body (2), a piston (3) and a plunger (4), whereby the plunger (4)comprises a front seal seat (5) and a rear seal seat (6) as well asseals (9), with which outlets, such as a main line (14), a pilot line(19), a connection (16) and at least one vent (15) are alternatelysealable in the valve body (2), and the piston (3) has a piston seal (8)that separates two air circuits from each other, characterized in thatcontact surfaces (11) are designed in the valve body (2), at which thecorresponding surfaces (12) of the front and rear seal seats (5, 6) ofthe plunger (4) can be brought into abutment.
 2. The textile machinethat produces take-up packages according to claim 1, characterized inthat the surfaces (12) corresponding to the seals (9) have a conicaldesign.
 3. The textile machine that produces take-up packages accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the piston (3) and the plunger (4) aredesigned in two pieces.
 4. The textile machine that produces take-uppackages according to claim 1, characterized in that a supportingelement (10) is available that is positioned so that the piston (3) issecured to the plunger (4) and the piston seal (8) can be affixed to thepiston (3).
 5. The textile machine that produces take-up packagesaccording to claim 1, characterized in that a connection designed as abottleneck is integrated between the main line (14) and pilot line (19)in the plunger (4).
 6. The textile machine that produces take-uppackages according to claim 5, characterized in that the bottleneck inthe plunger (4) is designed with a separate fixed throttle (13).
 7. Thetextile machine that produces take-up packages according to claim 1,characterized in that the seals (9) are designed as O-rings.
 8. Thetextile machine that produces take-up packages according to claim 1,characterized in that the supporting element (10) can be attached to theplunger (4) without destruction and unattached.
 9. The textile machinethat produces take-up packages according to claim 1, characterized inthat the control valve (1) is designed as an individual or multipleunit.